Originally Posted by
unterhausen
I know big customers could get whatever they wanted, but I bought tubing from Trek or from a couple of bike parts distributors. And the truth is, I don't remember what was available to me then. I think 753 is later than the OP was talking about, or we should mention Ishiwata. I don't think they were in the same ballpark as Columbus or Reynolds until they introduced Prestige, whenever that was.
AFAIK, there was usually a choice of at least a couple of gauges of 531. But maybe I'm mistaken. 753 is indeed later (as mentioned, Prestige is Tange, not Ishiwata, who's extra-light stuff was 019. Prestige would be roughly the equivalent of 753, 531SL, Columbus KL.) I think Ishiwata was always as well-regarded as the other guys, just didn't have the same cache.